Tag Archives: Gibson J 45

When Gibson introduced the Gibson J 45 Custom Shop in the early ’40s, the country was mired in an age of austerity—torn by the war and not yet out of the Great Depression. The guitar was designed and built to address the economic realities of the time, eschewing flash to keep the price low. But Gibson’s approach to making the guitar accessible also made it beautiful. The sunburst finish—used to conceal the multiple-piece tops made necessary by a spruce shortage—was stylish and actually looked luxurious. The dot inlays were a picture of perfect simplicity. And the mahogany back and sides conspired with the spruce top to create a bright, bassy, slightly husky voice that, serendipitously, suited the bluesy, down-home vibe of the times.

Gibson’s newest J-45, the limited-edition PureVoice Custom, isn’t exactly an entry-level economy model anymore. Alongside the J-200, it’s the essence of Gibson acoustic style and tone—the flagship of a proud line—and as such it’s a guitar many of us will dream of rather than actually own. But the J-45 PureVoice Custom evolves a classic by adding an internal, bridge plate-mounted transducer system that makes this particular J-45 a superb performance guitar without sacrificing the tone, style, and intangibles that have made J-45s objects of lust for guitar nuts and an indispensible tool for artists from Dylan to Jeff Tweedy.

It’s hard to imagine anyone with a heartbeat not being moved by the sight of this J-45. The sunburst, which moves from honey-amber in the center to a dark cocoa, is alive even in the dullest light. If you happen to catch a glimpse of the guitar in late-afternoon sunlight, it’s positively luminous. Though the first J-45s were often built from great-sounding, but less-than-perfect, spruce sections, the PureVoice Custom’s top is made of lovely wood with a bookmatched, straight-but-figured grain with an organic racing-stripe effect. The Indian rosewood fretboard, meanwhile, has a reddish hue and figure with almost cocobolo-like qualities, and the simple mother-of-pearl dot inlays are a perfect juxtaposition to the opulent materials elsewhere.

The same can be said for the subdued white-black-white rosette and binding, and the faux-tortoise pickguard. Other small details help set this J-45 apart too, like the open-back Grover butterbean tuners and a truss-rod cover that looks lifted from a Les Paul, adding a touch of rock ’n’ roll that doesn’t look at all out of place. Together, the visual elements are an ideal convergence of understated and velvet-ropes sumptuousness.

For nearly 70 years, the J-45 has not only proven itself a Gibson classic but also a benchmark of acoustic guitar design. It has remained, mostly, unchanged – proving that the best ideas are often the first ones. The journey of the Gibson J-45 keeps going. Here are some facts you need to know

The J-45 is one of Gibson’s best-selling acoustics of all time. Nicknamed “The Workhorse” and first introduced in 1942, this popular acoustic is now the icon of its round-shoulder, dreadnought line. World renowned for its full, balanced expression, warm bass and excellent projection, the J-45 is one of most technically advanced guitars of its time.

I have a few Gibsons so I am a fan. I wanted to love this guitar but was not that impressed. It has the boom and it projects, but the detail and accuracy doesn’t compare to my Hummingbird. I also have a Martin HD-28V and the J-45 just isn’t in the same league as my Martin. There are a few sharp edges, the setup could have been much better, and while it has a very respectable low end, and is louder than my Hummingbird, the workmanship isn’t as good, and doesn’t have the control of the Hummingbird. That said, I love my Hummingbird and was hoping to find a guitar whose sound would fill the gap between my bird and Martin, but I will have to keep looking. Given the choice of just one of all my acoustics, I choose the Martin every time. Maybe I had a less than perfect guitar? I think there was more to it than that.

Customer service is like asking for a tongue lashing from a teacher. Either they don’t want to hear what your concerns are or simply have no information at all. Forget about asking them to build a guitar to your liking because they’ll tell you to go somewhere else. Stores complain that Gibson does not support them with quality product and so consequently sales are low. Gee, I can’t understand why! I think some of the Gibson models are gorgeous but I can’t afford a 1951 model in great condition so Gibson won’t be in my guitar stable. You feel like you just want to slap them across the face to wake them up and get with the program!

Every acoustic guitar made by Gibson features hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing inside the body, a feature normally found only in limited run, hand-made guitars. By scalloping each brace by hand, the natural sound of the acoustic is focused more toward the center of the body, enhancing the instrument’s sound projection. The Gibson J 45 Specs Custom features a variation of Gibson’s “X” bracing pattern situated behind the soundhole, with a set of tall and thin braces for the back, and scalloped tall and thin braces for the top. This legendary bracing design delivers a balanced expression, with punchy, deep lows, warm mids, and clear, crisp highs. It also projects a natural compression, which helps the J-45 Custom blend nicely with any accompaniment.

The dovetail neck joint is one of the oldest – and best – ways of securely joining the neck to the body of a guitar. It is also a complex and expensive neck joint to build, but the result is a tight, locking connection that supports the neck at the proper neck-pitch angle, allowing the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood, with no metal to impede vibration. This process is done entirely by hand, requiring patience and skill.

Vintage Gibson J45 for sale.1959 Gibson J45 for sale.Stored in a smoke free environment ? Only played in the afternoon services? I think not ! This exceptional round shouldered 1959 Gibson J 45 offered for sale has been toted from club gigs,honkytonks,recording sessions and general gather round pickin ‘parties all her life and for a good reason, she sounds great ! With full well rounded tone and fine projection to stay out front this old girl is a players delight. From the private collection of one of the Southeast’s renowned luthiers. Nice beefy medium jumbo refret, adjustable bridge (still in case) thankfully replaced with a more desirable Brazilian rosewood reproduction 3/32nds bass E string height at 12th fret, wider Gibson nut 1/11 16ths wide.Some dinks and scratches from all her years of glorious service.Case as seen is in good shape and decorated with stickers from around the world.

There’s a reason that the Gibson J 45 Sunburst has been a staple in the line of Gibson acoustic guitars for years. The round-shoulder dreadnought body has not only a comfortable feel while playing, but a well-balanced tone that is unlike any other acoustic out there. The J-45 has a warm bass tone with lots of projection, and a rounded treble that isn’t too shrill or muffled. The J-45 is a no-brainer for being a go-to guitar either in the studio or on the stage.

The J-45 Custom takes the traditional shape and tone of the original J-45 and takes it up a notch. The gibson 1942 j-45 Custom is built with Indian rosewood for the back and sides, as opposed to mahogany on the J-45 Standard. It’s also adorned with a mother of pearl Gibson logo and dot inlays, with an abalone headstock flower inlay and rosette as well. A classic Gibson acoustic with some modern tweaks and a gorgeous look.

The legendary J-45 clearly defines the storied legacy of Gibson acoustics. Without question, the J-45 is one of the most beloved and played acoustic guitars in the history of modern music, and the icon of Gibson’s round-shoulder dreadnought acoustic line ever since its introduction in 1942. Today, it stands proudly as Gibson’s number one-selling acoustic, and in recognition of this distinguished rank Gibson Acoustic presents the J-45 Custom – one of the most elegant and best-sounding versions of this classic model ever produced by Gibson Acoustic’s master craftsmen. Combining vintage appointments with several modern features, the J-45 Custom delivers the model’s renowned tone while adding a new, refined appearance that complements its fundamental design, including a brand new floral and vine abalone pearl headstock inlay designed by Gibson master luthier Ren Ferguson. Includes case.

The top of the J-45 Custom is made from AA-grade Sitka spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from pattern-grade Indian rosewood, giving the model the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson’s guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with “the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities,” and today’s guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.

The Gibson J-45 True Vintage sits at the top of the top-selling J-45 line, first introduced in 1942. This round-shoulder acoustic guitar is known for its full, balanced expression, its warm bass, and its excellent projection – much of which came through subtle changes to the bracing of its forefather, the J-35. The J-45 True Vintage is virtually identical to the J-45 of yesteryear, and features all that legendary tone, thanks to its Adirondack red spruce top and Honduran mahogany body. Get an authentic reproduction of a classic with the J-45 True Vintage.

The top of the j-45 guitar True Vintage is made from top-grade Adirondack red spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from pattern grade Honduran mahogany, giving the J-45 True Vintage the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson’s guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with “the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities,” and today’s guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.

The fingerboard of Gibson’s J-45 Vintage is constructed from the highest grade Indian rosewood on earth, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson’s team of skilled experts before it enters the Gibson factories. The resilience of this durable wood makes the fingerboard extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The J-45’s classic dot inlays are made of genuine mother-of-pearl, and are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn’t require the use of fillers. The fingerboard also sports traditional binding over the fret ends, which was a staple feature of many classic Gibson acoustics for many years.

The Gibson J 45 Left Handed acoustic guitar is the prince of a range of Gibson flattops now referred to as “Round-Shoulder Dreadnoughts.” This elegant workhorse debuted in 1942, and became an instant favorite for its rich, warm, vocal tone and excellent projection. Today, this Gibson acoustic guitar is played by the likes of Bob Dylan, Ralph McTell, Billy Jo Armstrong, and Lucinda Williams. Carrying accurate touches such as a soft-V neck profile, teardrop tortoise pickguard, 4-ply top binding, and banner headstock inlay (declaring “Only A Gibson Is Good Enough”), the left handed gibson j 45 True Vintage is an accurate representation of the acoustic guitar that became the standard of hard-gigging bluegrass, folk, and country artists of the 1940s and 1950s.

Each Gibson True Vintage J-45 acoustic guitar is built in Bozeman, Montana, with a top made from solid Adirondack red spruce, a rare and highly prized tonewood, and constructed with hot hide glue, just like back in the day.

Nice lefty Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, made in Bozeman MT, sunburst, very good condition, sounds great, Baggs element pickup, hardshell Gibson case, no cracks or structural issues, plays perfectly, lower frets have wear but no playability issues at all, no dead notes or fret buzz, minor hazing on finish in dark areas, could use a good buffing, light scratches and swirls here and there, couple wider scratches on below the bridge but not through the finish, no dings, no dents, no issues. Just a good honest J45 that’s been played over the last few years and is nicely worn in and ready to go.

Features :
Nitrocellulose lacquer finish for beauty and tone
Hand-fit, tapered dovetail joint to maximize sound vibration transfer from the neck to body
Radius top to maximize sound projection
Hand-scalloped top bracing for added strength and a light top
Handcrafted in Bozeman .

The fingerboard of Gibson J 45 ราคา is constructed from the highest grade rosewood on earth, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson’s team of skilled experts before it enters the Gibson factories. The resilience of this durable wood makes the fingerboard extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The J-45 guitar’s dot inlays are made of genuine mother of pearl, measuring approximately 1/4-inch in diameter, and are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn’t require the use of fillers. The fingerboard also sports a rolled edge instead of the usual right angle where the fingerboard surface meets the neck. Gibson Acoustic’s rolled edges are slightly beveled for an extremely smooth and comfortable feel, enhancing the playability of the J-45. L.R. Baggs Element Active Acoustic Pickup System Gibson Acoustic’s J-45 comes equipped with the popular Element Active Acoustic Pickup System from L.R. Baggs, which features a low-profile undersaddle element-or transducer-that’s proven more stable and durable than many standard ribbon-type pickups. Combined with an onboard preamp with an unobtrusive and removable volume control mounted just inside the soundhole, the Element delivers performance not previously attainable from an undersaddle pickup. Its sleek and effective design removes unnecessary internal components to enhance the coupling between the pickup and the guitar, and improve the sensitivity of the transducer for a robust, lively, and natural acoustic sound with excellent dynamics and delicate high end.

The Element works with a standard 9V battery, which is housed inside the guitar in L.R. Bagg’s new “Battery Bagg.” Bracing Every acoustic guitar made by Gibson features hand-scalloped, radiused top bracing inside the body, a feature normally found only in limited run, hand-made guitars. By scalloping each brace by hand, the natural sound of the acoustic is focused more toward the center of the body, enhancing the instrument’s sound projection. The Gibson J-45 Standard guitar features a variation of Gibson’s “X” bracing pattern situated behind the soundhole, with a set of tall and thin braces for the back, and scalloped tall and thin braces for the top. This legendary bracing design delivers a balanced expression, with punchy, deep lows, warm mids, and clear, crisp highs. When pushed for more volume, the Gibson J-45 projects a natural compression, which helps it blend nicely with any accompaniment. Includes case.

Descending from Gibson’s large HG Hawaiian guitar in 1929, and the original “Jumbo,” introduced in 1934, Round Shoulder Dreadnoughts are steeped in Gibson tradition and lauded for their pure, rich tones, and impressive volume. With smooth lines, and a curvaceous shape, Round Shoulder style guitars invite a close relationship with their respective guitarists: their body shape makes these guitars easier to hold and more comfortable to wrap your arms around.

Gibson’s reputation as a fine guitar builder dates back to the late 1800s. Handcrafted since day one by some of the most skilled luthiers around, Gibson acoustic guitars have inspired countless players around the world. When you pick up a Gibson acoustic, you know you’re getting the finest tonewoods, quality hardware, and incredible attention to detail – these instruments are built to sound great and stand the test of time. After moving from Kalamazoo, MI, to Nashville, TN (where Gibson electric guitars continue to be made), Gibson finally settled their acoustic operation in Bozeman, MT, where they continue making some of the finest guitars on the planet by hand.

The Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar is the prince of a range of Gibson flattops now referred to as “Round-Shoulder Dreadnoughts.” This elegant workhorse debuted in 1942, and became an instant favorite for its rich, warm, vocal tone and excellent projection. Today, this Gibson acoustic guitar is played by the likes of Bob Dylan, Ralph McTell, Billy Jo Armstrong, and Lucinda Williams. Carrying accurate touches such as a Slim-Taper neck profile, teardrop tortoise pickguard, 4-ply top binding, and banner headstock inlay (declaring “Only A Gibson Is Good Enough”), the Gibson J-45 True Vintage is an accurate representation of the acoustic guitar that became the standard of hard-gigging bluegrass, folk, and country artists of the 1940s and 1950s.

Each Gibson True Vintage J-45 acoustic guitar is built in Bozeman, Montana, with a top made from solid Adirondack red spruce, a rare and highly prized tonewood, and constructed with hot hide glue, just like back in the day.

Introduced in 1942, the Gibson J-45 has since become one of the companies’ top-selling acoustic models, and for good reason; it not only looks great, but has a fantastic tone as well. This is a pre-owned J-45 with a vintage sunburst finish, crafted in 2010. The guitar features a sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck with a comfort contour profile and Indian rosewood fretboard, 1.725″ nut width, 20 frets, multi-ply top body binding, mother of pearl dot inlays, nickel Grover Rotomatic tuners, and built-in L.R. Baggs Element electronics, excellent for plugging in at the gig. This J-45 is in fantastic shape, and looks like it has seen little to no prior play time. It includes the original hardshell case, but no warranty or paperwork.

A vintage-correct re-creation of the legendary workhorse with Gibson Acoustic’s J-45 True Vintage! The top of the Gibson J 45 Vintage SunburstTrue Vintage is made from top-grade Adirondack red spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from pattern grade Honduran mahogany, giving the J-45 True Vintage the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson’s guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with “the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities,” and today’s guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.

Rosette A rosette is the beautiful, hand-crafted circle around the soundhole, and can be one of the most ornamental elements of any acoustic guitar. It is also one of the most subtle and complicated woodworking decorations on any acoustic guitar. The rosette on the J-45 True Vintage is a simple single-ring rosette consisting of three-ply binding, adding a stylish, understated elegance to the J-45 True Vintage.The J-45 True Vintage has an Adirondack red spruce top with scalloped bracing and mahogany back and sides that produce the warm, expressive tone this guitar is famous for. The mahogany neck is fitted to the body with a compound dovetail joint at the 14th fret and secured with hide glue. The Vintage Sunburst finish is hand-sprayed and Gibson’s signature nitrocellulose lacquer allows the tone to mature with age.

Gibson’s 1942 J-45 Legend acoustic features period-correct strap open-back white button tuners that are identical to the original Kluson tuners used in 1942. Each tuner is painstakingly handmade for this guitar using the exact dimensions and design as on the original 1937 model, reproduced with precise handcrafted detail, and resulting in a high-quality, vintage tuner not available on any other instrument.

Rosewood Fingerboard with Traditional Binding and Classic Dot Inlays
The fingerboard of gibson j-45 usedLegend is constructed from the highest grade rosewood on earth, which is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson’s team of skilled experts before it enters the Gibson factories. The resilience of this durable wood makes the fingerboard extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The J-45’s classic dot inlays are made of genuine mother of pearl, and are inserted into the fingerboard using a process that eliminates gaps and doesn’t require the use of fillers. The fingerboard also sports traditional binding over the fret ends, which was a staple feature of many classic Gibson acoustics for many years.

Pickguard
The pickguard for the 1942 J-45 Legend is Gibson’s standard fire stripe tortoise tear drop shape, exactly as it appeared on the very first J-45 in 1942. As with all of Gibson’s pickguards, the coloring and binding are all done by hand.

The dovetail neck joint is one of the oldest—and best—ways of securely joining the neck to the body of a guitar. It is also a complex and expensive neck joint to build, but the result is a tight, locking connection that supports the neck at the proper neck-pitch angle, allowing the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood, with no metal to impede vibration. This process is done entirely by hand, requiring patience and skill.

The top of the 1942 J-45 Legend is made from genuine Adirondack red spruce, while the back and sides are constructed from pattern-grade Honduran mahogany, giving the 1942 J-45 Legend the same full, balanced expression, warm bass, and excellent projection that earned the original J-45 its much-heralded reputation. Selecting the right wood, and the formula to dry it out, are two of the most central procedures to Gibson’s guitar-building process. Beginning with its first catalog in 1903, Gibson has assured its customers that every guitar would be built using woods with “the most durable, elastic, and sonorous qualities,” and today’s guitars from Gibson Acoustic are no different.